How to Make a Template in Microsoft Word 2007
You can create Microsoft Word 2007 templates to maintain the appearance and standard of correspondence at your company or to standardize your own writing activities, including blog posts and letters. When creating templates, keep your audience (the people who will use the template you are making) in mind and make sure your templates are technically accurate, particularly if you're going to share them. If you use macros or calculations in your template, ensure that they work properly, and if you include Internet links and email addresses, be sure the links do what you want them to do.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with Microsoft Word 2007 installed
- Notepad or paper
- Pen or pencil
- Digital copies of the graphics you want to use (logo, clip art, background and watermarks)
Instructions
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Make a list of the elements you want to place in the template: letterhead, address, website and email links, "boilerplate" copy that you want to include in every document, background images or stationery, even macros (e.g., to insert "boilerplate" copy, the writer will choose from a list to fit the situation).
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Sketch out your page on a separate piece of paper, placing the page elements where you think you will want them in the template. For example, draw a circle or box where the logo will go and label it "logo." Don't be surprised if you use up a number of sheets of paper. Just keep at it until you're satisfied. Don't try to be artistic and sketch the elements. Just draw circles and boxes of an appropriate size and label them.
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Open Word 2007 and use the program's tools to place or create your elements where you want them. If you don't like the result, go back to your paper and pencil and try again, or you can try moving the elements around in Word until you find an arrangement you like. Hint: It's easier to do it on paper.
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Save your new template as a Word 2007 template (*.dotx) or, if you have included macros, as a macro-enabled template (*.dotm).
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Distribute, upload or start using your template to increase your own productivity.
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Tips & Warnings
To create an email template, you must have Microsoft Outlook installed. Open Outlook, open a new, blank message, design your template as above and save it as an *.oft file.
